Biden plans public events blitz as White House pushes back on pressure to leave the race

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says President Joe Biden will meet with Democratic lawmakers and governors and sit for a network TV interview in the coming days as he pushes back against growing pressure to step aside in the 2024 race. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says Biden wants to “turn the page” after the outcry over his shaky performance in last week’s debate against Republican Donald Trump. Jean-Pierre says the 81-year-old president has no intention of stepping aside, characterizing his debate failings as simply evidence of “a bad night” when he had a cold. But Democratic leaders are increasingly signaling that they’re not buying White House attempts to brush off Biden’s performance in the debate as just a momentary lapse.